Fluid Thickeners in the Prevention of Aspiration Pneumonia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70171/zwqdaz94Keywords:
aspiration pneumonia, dysphagia, IDDSI, rheology, thickenersAbstract
Justification: Aspiration pneumonia represents a critical complication of oropharyngeal dysphagia, significantly impacting mortality rates and the high costs of current healthcare systems. Objective: The primary objective was to analyze the available scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of thickening agents in reducing the incidence of aspiration pneumonia. Methodology: A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines, analyzing 50 scientific articles published between 2010 and 2026, retrieved from high-impact databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect. Results: It was evidenced that xanthan gum-based thickeners provided superior rheological stability against salivary amylase compared to starch-based thickeners, achieving a significant decrease in Penetration-Aspiration Scale scores. However, it was found that treatment adherence at home was deficient in 45% of the evaluated cases, which limited the prophylactic effectiveness of the intervention. Conclusion: It was determined that viscosity modification under the IDDSI standard constitutes a fundamental compensatory strategy to mitigate respiratory risks. It was concluded that clinical success required a strict balance between bolus safety and the avoidance of pharyngeal residues, combined with multidisciplinary follow-up to ensure the patient's hydration and nutrition.
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